Migration of the anal distal end due to ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement: an atypical case report of a 9-month-old infant with tuberculous meningitis and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) represents one of the most classic and widely used treatments for hydrocephalus in pediatric patients. Migration and externalization of the distal end of the catheter through the rectum are extremely rare complications of intestinal perforation with devastating consequences such as meningitis or peritonitis due to enteric bacteria that are significantly life-threatening. Besides, one of the biggest topics with that is that it can happen without producing symptoms, like the patient we present in this case report, which further masks the condition and puts the patient's life more at risk. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 9-month-old infant patient, with a history of prematurity, tuberculous meningitis (TBM), and hydrocephalus, who came to ED with a functional VPS and the distal end of the catheter protruding outside the rectum for 7 days, without presenting neurological or intestinal symptoms accompanying. One of the parameters that guided the diagnosis and made us suspicious of asymptomatic intestinal perforation (IP) was the background of TMB. The patient was immediately transferred to the OR where both ends of the shunt were removed: in the first instance, the shunt tube was disconnected through the abdomen, thus withdrawing through the anus, and subsequently, the proximal end of the catheter was exteriorized. In turn, the intestinal fistula was successfully repaired laparoscopically, and prophylactic antibiotic treatment was early administered. On the 6th postop day, a shunt was internalized, and a child was discharged on postop day 15 without complications with alarm guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The authors of this article strongly suggest that (1) anal extrusion of catheters is an uncommon complication but real: for this reason, its development should be considered in all patients with VPS, especially in infants. (2) The patients are often asymptomatic since false tracts can form around the catheter protecting it from spillage, and thus can be removed without complications. (3) Special care should be taken in patients with conditions that increase the risk of developing IP, such as TMB.

Enigma of what is Known about Intracranial Aneurysm Occlusion with Endovascular Devices.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid Hemorrhage is a major cause of neurological morbidity and mortality. Over the years vascular neurosurgery has witnessed technological advances aimed to reduce the morbidity and mortality. Several endovascular devices have been used in clinical practice to achieve this goal in the management of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Recurrence due to recanalization is encountered in all of these endovascular devices as well as illustrated by Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial. Histological and molecular characterization of the aneurysms treated with endovascular devices is an area of active animal and human research studies. Yet, the pathobiology illustrating the mechanisms of aneurysmal occlusion and healing lacks evidence. The enigma of aneurysmal healing following treatment with endovascular devices needs to be de-mystified to understand the biological interaction of endovascular device and aneurysm and thereby guide the future development of endovascular devices aimed at better aneurysm occlusion. We performed a comprehensive and detailed literature review to bring all the known facts of the pathobiology of intracranial aneurysm healing, the knowledge of which is of paramount importance to neurosurgeons, an interventional neuroradiologist, molecular biologist, geneticists, and experts in animal studies. This review serves as a benchmark of what is known and platform for future studies basic science research related to intracranial aneurysms.

Neurotrauma in the Time of SARS-COV 2: A Checklist for Its Safe Management.

Neurotrauma is a critical public health problem that deserves the attention of the world health community. The unprecedented pandemic of SARS-COV 2 has led to a tremendous strain on medical facilities including intensive care and availability of blood products. In addition, due to lockdown in most nations and diverting of medical attention elsewhere, neurotrauma has taken a back seat. Despite this, any case of trauma presenting during this time should receive the best possible care. However, it is also imperative to safeguard the health care workers from this infection, too. The number of health care workers losing their lives to this infection is ever rising. We here present a possible workflow using a checklist approach such that errors and cross-infections are minimized and there is no reduction in the level of care received by any trauma case. This article has been written with a special focus on middle-income countries where resources may already be strained due to the sudden case burden. We hope to minimize death "caused" by COVID-19 and "related" to it.